Hoyer Travels to South Africa to Commemorate “Ripple of Hope” Speech

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer
(MD) traveled to South Africa from Tuesday, May 31 – Sunday, June 5 as part
of a Congressional delegation marking the fiftieth anniversary of Robert F.
Kennedy’s “Ripple of Hope” speech, which was delivered at the
University of Cape Town on June 6, 1966.

“I was honored to participate in this Congressional delegation to South
Africa, a nation looking ever forward toward the future as it continues
working to heal the rifts of the past and create opportunities for all its
people,” stated Whip Hoyer. “To be at the University
of Cape Town to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Senator Robert F.
Kennedy’s historic ‘ripple of hope’ speech was extraordinary.
Throughout the visit, I had the opportunity to meet with South African
leaders to discuss how our nations can work more closely in ways that benefit
both the United States and South Africa – as well as to increase
opportunity and security throughout Africa.”

Hoyer and the delegation toured Liliesleaf, which was the center of the
liberation movement, and met with senior anti-apartheid struggle veterans.
They visited the Box Shop in Soweto with the Mayor of Johannesburg, where
they discussed innovative partnerships with local entrepreneurs. They also
met with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and truth and reconciliation commission
members. The delegation toured Robben Island before attending the Ripple of
Hope Commemorative event held at the University of Cape Town. The delegation
also met with the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Patrick Gaspard, to
discuss relations between the United States and South Africa, along with key
business and social leaders.

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